Stellenbosch University aims to deliver a transformative student experience and a networked and collaborative teaching and learning environment. These are two of the core themes within the institutional strategic framework. Participation in the co-curriculum has been identified as one of the ways in which the SU community can meet these strategic goals. On an individual level, students and staff are provided with various opportunities to develop skills and competencies linked to the SU graduate attributes through the programs offered by the co-curriculum unit in preparation for their entrance into employment as alumni of Stellenbosch University. 

Thanks to a collaborative effort between Academic ICT, the Co-curriculum office and the Centre for Learning Technologies, the extensive and comprehensive co-curriculum competency framework is now available on SUNLearn. This will enable lecturers and facilitators on registered academic courses and co-curricular courses to assign competencies to specific activities. Students will be able to attach evidence of the work that they have done to meet these competencies within a learning plan that can be linked to their particular degree. The competencies that have been completed by each student will be added to their academic transcript on graduation via a process run by the Co-curriculum and Registrars’ office. 

The SU Competency Framework consists of four domains in which graduates are expected to demonstrate various skills. This competency framework expedites the development of the graduate attributes adopted by the University. 

1. Personal skills 

1. Emotional intelligence 

2. Personal leadership 

3. Critical thinking 

4. Personal growth and formation 

2. People skills 

1. Interpersonal skills 

2. Interpersonal communication 

3. Social intelligence 

4. Cross-cultural competence 

5. Leadership 

3. Applied Knowledge 

1. Novel and adaptive thinking 

2. Cognitive load management 

3. Sense making 

4. Civic literacy and constitutionality 

4. Workplace Skills 

1. Project management 

2. Technological literacy 

3. Design mindset 

4. Resource stewardship 

5. Employability preparedness 

A number of courses specific to the co-curriculum will be facilitated by specially trained facilitators on SUNLearn. The Co-curriculum Office will train and provide additional information to lecturers who are interested in incorporating these competencies into their own modules.  

Ruth Andrews, Manager of Co-curriculum had this to say about this new initiative:  

“Stellenbosch University is currently implementing a system that will prepare students to navigate the global complexities with sound academic capability, as well as co-curriculum competencies, that will facilitate application of knowledge and transfer of skills, this provides a competitive advantage for SU students upon graduation. The SU graduates are the first students in South Africa that will be able to offer employers academic transcripts with competency capability”. 

The Learning Technology Systems team (Academic ICT) would like to encourage lecturers and students alike to use this new feature. It will not only benefit the students’ development, but will encourage lecturers to use the platform as the holistic and effective personal learning environment for which SUNLearn is intended. Support for lecturers in the form of training will be available via the SUNLearn support team, with dedicated training on co-curriculum facilitation by the Co-curricular office. 

For further information, please contact the Co-curriculum office. 

Pule Mochichane: [email protected] 

Ruth Andrews: [email protected]